Action News Wire

'Inception'-Themed Math Book Cover Drives Internet Haywire

Has a hole been torn in the space-time continuum?

'Inception'-Themed Math Book Cover Drives Internet Haywire

how the fuck are they already on the textbook if theyre posing for it pic.twitter.com/fkpP9HTWnk

— ️ (@riarklerise) May 19, 2016

As far as math books go, this one's not adding up.

A bizarre, "Inception"-style textbook cover is driving the internet mad. It shows students holding the same books on which they seem to appear, as if trapped in a never-ending loop.

The College Prep Algebra book shows five student cheerfully clutching textbooks. Things get screwy, however, when one looks closely: Are the exact same students carrying the exact same textbook and standing in the exact same way?

Naturally, the internet exploded with shock and conspiracy theories.

@riarklerise @BobbyBigWheel Time travel! No, wait. Photoshop.

— David (@RedRocks_76) May 20, 2016

@doctorsIoan IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE

— ️ (@riarklerise) May 19, 2016

@riarklerise @Shannon_Steele They are taking an advanced class in "Inception"

— TheHussman (@TheHussman) May 20, 2016

@riarklerise @mariekehardy How do we know *we're* not on the cover of someone's algebra text book?

— Damien Baumgart (@LowmanX) May 21, 2016

@riarklerise @jonsantoast pic.twitter.com/SMEsr0tJzR

— Javiforprez2036 (@javiforprez2036) May 20, 2016

Cengage Learning, which produced the books, also got in on the action.

One of our textbooks may have torn a hole in the space time continuum. Maybe we took #studentfocus a bit too far... https://t.co/20cObnUPYE

— Cengage Learning (@CengageLearning) May 20, 2016

Fortunately for those who couldn't wrap their head around the anomaly, Reddit came to their rescue.

A year ago the same photo caused heads to spin online, leading to an undoctored image of the students to emerge. In their hands they're seen holding books, but ones that have not yet been edited.

Not that creepy, right?

Some other notable "tunnel vision" mashups include:

Robert Burt, 19, wore his mugshot in his mugshot following a drunk driving arrest in 2014.
Robert Burt, 19, wore his mugshot in his mugshot following a drunk driving arrest in 2014.
Somerset County Jail

Seth Rogen meeting a fan for the third time...

This student has met @Sethrogen three years in a row... pic.twitter.com/jdASQmL67z

— UNILAD (@UNILAD) May 3, 2016

And, of course, this scene out of the Mel Brooks classic, "Spaceballs"...